Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has called on the government to eradicate period poverty.

The man in charge of London says it is “hard to believe” this type of poverty still exists and it puts health at risk.

According to research by YouGov Plc, 17 per cent of women aged 16-24 in London said they have experience period poverty – not being able to afford appropriate menstrual products every month.

Some 14 per cent of young women and girls say they have had to improvise sanitary wear due to not being able to afford menstrual products and a further 12 per cent say they have had to ask to borrow items from a friend.

Mr Khan said: “Not being able to afford the products that they need is putting their health at risk and preventing them from fully engaging in their education. I am calling on the Government to take urgent action and end period poverty.”

Research by Plan International also shows that 49 per cent of girls in the UK have missed an entire day of school because of their period and 64 per cent of girls have missed a PE or sport because of their period.

City Hall will work with The Red Box Project to help eradicate period poverty.

The Red Box Project supports disadvantaged young women through their period by stocking schools with menstrual products.

The partnership comes as part of the Mayor’s #BehindEveryGreatCity campaign which marks the centenary of women being allowed the right to vote and is aiming to increase gender equality in the capital.

Mr Khan added: “This year, through our #BehindEveryGreatCity campaign, I have pledged to fight gender inequality in all its forms, and we must tackle the issue of period poverty and ensure that no woman or girl goes without this basic right.”